During the 1960's, 70's and 80's, the University of Arizona in Tucson became the “proving ground” for dozens of arid tolerant species. In an effort to evaluate them for use in urban landscapes, Warren Jones, Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture installed trees and shrubs from around the world onto the UA Campus. The results of his lifelong dedication are the basis of the book “Landscape Plants for Dry Regions” which he co-authored with Charles Sacamano (Fisher Books, 2000.) Just as importantly, the UA Campus is now the home of hundreds of species of trees and shrubs, from arid climates on all continents. The University of Arizona Campus Arboretum has been established for the purposes of preservation, education, and enhancing this extensive collection.

The Mission of the Campus Arboretum at the University of Arizona is to preserve, manage, enhance, and expand a vital collection plants in an active, urban Sonoran Desert setting. The UA Campus Arboretum will showcase the historic, scientific, aesthetic, environmental, economical, conservation, and educational value of these plants within the larger Tucson urban forest and the American Southwest.

For a broader description of the goals of the UA Campus Arboretum, please see the 2009 Concept Statement.